Modern Animal: Black Swan
Future Animal: River Swan Latin Name:Cygnus olor Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Cygnus Species: C. Olor HABITAT
The Mute Swan are located in Europe and Asia as native birds. They were also introduced into the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan. They are known to naturally migrate between Europe, western Asia, and rarely are seen in northern parts of Africa. The Mute swan was introduced into these countries for ornamental purposes. Hunted and killed, they are protected species in the United States, Australia and in New Zealand.
The Mute Swans were introduced into parts of the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan. Though not native to there, they have been able to sustain a population of around 22000 live Mute Swans in the United States. In other introduced areas, their population is not as high. In Japan, there are about 200 live Mute Swans there. In New Zealand and Australia, there are less than 200 birds in each country and about 120 in South Africa. In native areas, there are about 500000 Mute Swans and 350000 are in areas that were once parts of the Soviet Union.
The Mute Swans prefers areas with temperate climates. They can live in both salt and freshwater ponds, as well as lagoons and bays. They have often been seen to have close contact with humans, but may also choose to live in remote areas as well. Like the Black Swan, they are quite nomadic and migrate short distances that are appropriate to the current season.
Though they are protected, Mute Swans are still killed and poached for profit in almost every country it inhabits, whether naturally migrated to or introduced by humans. They have often been kept outside their natural habitats such as in parks and ponds for decoration purposes. There have been many escapes in which the swans successfully returned to their natural habitat.
ADAPTATIONS
Behavioral - Territorial
Among all species of swan, the Mute Swan are the more territorial of swans. They are known to attack predators as large as foxes and threaten their foes with busking, in which they curve the neck and raise their wings up halfway. They are also known to hiss and defend for their family almost every time they feel it is a threat. This behavioral adaptation allows the Mute Swan to fend off foes and protect their young ones and may have arisen due to increased amounts of small predators.
Behavioral - Mating for Life
Like most specie of swan, the Mute Swan mates for life. They generally stay together for the remainder for their lives, but sometimes may find another partner to mate with. This behavioral adaptation makes sure that unless one mate dies, the swans can keep reproducing during breeding periods and sustain the population. This adaptation may have occurred due to lack of mates, as Mute Swans may lead remote lives and are very territorial, so they may find getting a mate difficult.
Structural - Toothless Bills Most waterfowl birds like the Mute Swan have evolved into toothless birds. This is because the teeth add weight to the bird, which prevents them from flying as easily. Birds evolved from toothed jays to light-weight bills. This adaptation may have occurred due to difficulties with flying because there was too much weight on the bird to fly far.
Structural - Keel-like Breastbone The Mute Swan has adapted to flying through adapting their breastbones into a large keel. This adaptation allows the attachment of large and powerful muscles that are used to control the wings of the bird. This adaptation may have occurred due to lack of muscle and unsuitable breastbone formation to grow large muscles.
Physiological - Unidirectional Pulmonary System
The Mute Swan has adapted a unidirectional pulmonary system for the high demand in oxygen needed for flight. This adaptation allows the birds in gain oxygen to store in air sacs while both inhaling and exhaling. The adaptation occurred due to lack of oxygen with lungs, so the birds evolved to have a system that gives them more air to supply the blood in muscles.
EXTINCTION PRESSURES
The Mute Swan, though still alive and populated today, were once put to near extinction. This was because humans had hunted them for decorations and food so much that the swans were not able to produce as quickly as they were being killed. The humans contributed to the near extinction of the Mute Swan, as well has having introduced them to new areas, were responsible for the decline and incline for the population of Mute Swan.
The Mute Swan
Modern Animal: Black Swan
Future Animal: River Swan
Latin Name: Cygnus olor
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Species: C. Olor
HABITAT
The Mute Swan are located in Europe and
The Mute Swans were introduced into parts of the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan. Though not native to there, they have been able to sustain a population of around 22000 live Mute Swans in the United States. In other introduced areas, their population is not as high. In Japan, there are about 200 live Mute Swans there. In New Zealand and Australia, there are less than 200 birds in each country and about 120 in South Africa. In native areas, there are about 500000 Mute Swans and 350000 are in areas that were once parts of the Soviet Union.
The Mute Swans prefers areas with temperate climates. They can live in both salt and freshwater ponds, as well as lagoons and bays. They have often been seen to have close contact with humans, but may also choose to live in remote areas as well. Like the Black Swan, they are quite nomadic and migrate short distances that are appropriate to the current season.
Though they are protected, Mute Swans are still killed and poached for profit in almost every country it inhabits, whether naturally migrated to or introduced by humans. They have often been kept outside their natural habitats such as in parks and ponds for decoration purposes. There have been many escapes in which the swans successfully returned to their natural habitat.
ADAPTATIONS
Behavioral - Territorial
Among all species of swan, the Mute Swan are the more territorial of swans. They are known to attack predators as large as foxes and threaten their foes with busking, in which they curve the neck and raise their wings up halfway. They are also known to hiss and defend for their family almost every time they feel it is a threat. This behavioral adaptation allows the Mute Swan to fend off foes and protect their young ones and may have arisen due to increased amounts of small predators.
Behavioral - Mating for Life
Like most specie of swan, the Mute Swan mates for life. They generally stay together for the remainder for their lives, but sometimes may find another partner to mate with. This behavioral adaptation makes sure that unless one mate dies, the swans can keep reproducing during breeding periods and sustain the population. This adaptation may have occurred due to lack of mates, as Mute Swans may lead remote lives and are very territorial, so they may find getting a mate difficult.
Structural - Toothless Bills Most waterfowl birds like the Mute Swan have evolved into toothless birds. This is because the teeth add weight to the bird, which prevents them from flying as easily. Birds evolved from toothed jays to light-weight bills. This adaptation may have occurred due to difficulties with flying because there was too much weight on the bird to fly far.
Structural - Keel-like Breastbone The Mute Swan has adapted to flying through adapting their breastbones into a large keel. This adaptation allows the attachment of large and powerful muscles that are used to control the wings of the bird. This adaptation may have occurred due to lack of muscle and unsuitable breastbone formation to grow large muscles.
Physiological - Unidirectional Pulmonary System
The Mute Swan has adapted a unidirectional pulmonary system for the high demand in oxygen needed for flight. This adaptation allows the birds in gain oxygen to store in air sacs while both inhaling and exhaling. The adaptation occurred due to lack of oxygen with lungs, so the birds evolved to have a system that gives them more air to supply the blood in muscles.
EXTINCTION PRESSURES
The Mute Swan, though still alive and populated today, were once put to near extinction. This was because humans had hunted them for decorations and food so much that the swans were not able to produce as quickly as they were being killed. The humans contributed to the near extinction of the Mute Swan, as well has having introduced them to new areas, were responsible for the decline and incline for the population of Mute Swan.
Bibliography
Wikipedia. (2010) Bird Flight.
Retrieved on Thursday July 29th, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_flight#Adaptations_for_flight
RSPB. (2010). Mute Swan.
Retrieved on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 from http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/muteswan/